Which way back for boxing?
Johnriel Casimero has decided to stay put in Las Vegas and continue preparing for his next fight.
That dream bout—a triple crown unification against Japan’s Naoya Inoue originally scheduled last weekend—has been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Nothing is clear but Casimero, the WBO bantamweight champion, is fiercely chasing Inoue, WBA and IBF bantamweight titlist.
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There’s hope Inoue-Casimero could still be staged. Where and when, it’s hard to tell.
Inoue’s chief handler, Akihiko Honda, said he’s looking forward to shipping the unbeaten Japanese superstar (19-0, 16 KOs) to Las Vegas sometime in early May.
There’s the problem of the lockdown and the travel ban.
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Meanwhile, Bob Arum, Top Rank CEO and main man behind the uncertain world bantamweight unification bout said they may have no choice but take in a US-based opponent for Casimero.
Will Inoue, still deep in training in Japan, agree to wait indefinitely?
He has signed a multifight deal with Arum.
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Boxing is in great a rush to get back.
A fresh report said a big heavyweight card has been calendared in Poland in June.
Philboxing yesterday carried a story about a successful fight card held in Managua, Nicaragua, last Saturday, with spectators observing social distancing.
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Bob Arum said boxing people will have to figure how to bring back live ring action.
A lead British matchmaker said they plan to take over a hotel and put up a sterile fight camp once restrictions are relaxed.
Sean Gibbons, president of the MP Promotions that handles Casimero, said the postponed Inoue-Casimero fight has not been scrapped.
He said this is Casimero’s biggest chance for full stardom and great cash.
Gibbons said they’re looking forward to a fight in late July.
Pundits swear boxing without a live audience would be nothing better than glorified sparring. INQ
